The Gaming Commission is tasked with ensuring a clean, well-regulated gambling industry in a state where billions of dollars are wagered at casinos, on the Lottery, on horse racing and through sports betting each year. Some state employees allege there is a darker side to the agency where staff are subjected to hostile working conditions and complaints are ignored, insufficiently addressed or handled with retaliation, according to interviews and lawsuits filed against the agency.
“I quickly realized this was not a normal workplace,” said Di Ma, a former assistant counsel for the commission. “I can never work in state service again under the same leadership.”